Darlington High School names Anthony Heilbronn new varsity boys'basketball head coach

Darlington High School announced this week that Anthony Heilbronn, a social studies teacher at the school, will serve as the new varsity boys’ head basketball coach.

Heilbronn served as an assistant coach with the team for seven years, and he takes over after the retirement of longtime head coach Ken Howle. Darlington High Principal Cortney Gehrke praised Heilbronn’s ability to coach and mentor student-athletes.

“Coach Heilbronn’s proven commitment to our students, whether that be in the classroom, as athletes or in life, speaks to the outstanding character with which he will serve our basketball program,” Gehrke said. “We look forward to the team’s success under his leadership.”

Heilbronn is originally from Flushing, Michigan, and he graduated from Grand Valley State University with a bachelor’s degree in Social Studies. He later earned a Master of Science in Education in Educational Leadership from Arkansas State University.

“I’m truly at a loss for words right now as this opportunity is a dream come true,” Heilbronn said. “I’ve dreamed about this moment since I was younger, and thanks to Mrs. Gehrke and Coach Phil Jones, I’ll get to experience that. I’m excited to get to work and very thankful that I get the opportunity to do what I love for a living.”

During his seven years with the boys’ basketball program at Darlington High, Heilbronn spent six as the lead assistant coach. He previously served as head track and field coach at Hartsville High School for three years, and he is currently in his fourth year as an assistant coach for the track and field program at Darlington High.